official
[adjective]
Synonyms:
- authorized, accredited, authentic, certified, formal, legitimate, licensed, proper, sanctioned
[noun]
Synonyms:
- officer, agent, bureaucrat, executive, functionary, office bearer, representative

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Antonyms: officious (in diplomatic use), unofficial
Related Words: approved, authorized, certified, cleared, endorsed, OK'd, sanctioned, canonical, cathedral

[TahlilGaran] English Synonym Dictionary ▲

I. of‧fi‧cial¹ S3 W1 /əˈfɪʃəl/ noun [countable]
[Word Family: noun: office, officer, official, officialdom, officialese, officiousness; adverb: officially ≠ unofficially, officiously; adjective: official ≠ unofficial, officious; verb: officiate]
someone who is in a position of authority in an organization:
a government official
senior administration officials

[TahlilGaran] Dictionary of Contemporary English ▲

II. official² S3 W2 adjective
[Word Family: noun: office, officer, official, officialdom, officialese, officiousness; adverb: officially ≠ unofficially, officiously; adjective: official ≠ unofficial, officious; verb: officiate]

1. approved of or done by someone in authority, especially the government:
an official investigation into the causes of the explosion
the official policy on education
official statistics about illegal drug use
You will have to get official permission first.
Finally the letter of appointment came, making it all official.

2. relating to or done as part of an important job or position
an official visit/engagement etc
The President was leaving for a four-day official tour of Mexico.
the Queen’s performance of official duties
They dined in an official capacity with other European leaders.
the Lord Mayor’s official residence

3. an official explanation, account etc is one that is given formally and publicly, but may not be true:
Many doubted the official version of events.
The official line (=what is said publicly by people in authority) was that the troops were there to protect the King.

4. chosen to represent someone or an organization, or do something for them:
the company’s official logo
the official representative from the American administration

5. an official event is a formal public event:
The official opening of the institute was in May.

[TahlilGaran] Dictionary of Contemporary English ▲

official
noun
ADJ. high-ranking, prominent, senior, top | junior, minor | local, provincial, regional | departmental | public | full-time, part-time | elected | permanent | retired | responsible Report the incident to the responsible official. the official responsible for handling the case
corrupt | bank, company, corporate, council, court, customs, government, judicial, military, ministry, party, royal, state, (trade) union
VERB + OFFICIAL appoint (sb), appoint sb as | consult, meet | bribe attempting to bribe local officials

[TahlilGaran] Collocations Dictionary ▲

official

an official visit/engagement etc (=one that relates to an important job or position)
The Prime Minister was on an official visit to China.
somebody's official duties (=the things someone does as part of their job or position)
the royal family's official duties.
an official residence (=a house someone is able to use as part of their important job)
the ambassador's official residence in London
somebody's official capacity (=someone's official position or duty)
He spent Wednesday in Washington acting in his official capacity as Senate majority leader.

[TahlilGaran] Collocations Dictionary ▲

official
adjective
BAD: She is good at organizing people without seeming arrogant or official.
GOOD: She is good at organizing people without seeming arrogant or officious.

Usage Note:
official = done by or connected with a person or group in authority; formal: 'an official letter', 'an official inquiry', 'official approval'
officious (expressing dislike or disapproval) = too eager to give orders or make people keep to rules which are unimportant: 'An officious little man at the check-in insisted that my luggage was half a kilo overweight.'

[TahlilGaran] Dictionary of Common Errors ▲